CANANDAIGUA — The Democratic candidate for New York's lieutenant governor's seat made an unexpected stop in Canandaigua Monday afternoon.

Ultimately targeting the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls for a visit Monday afternoon, Kathy Hochul dropped in at Messenger Post Media’s Buffalo Street office for a short visit before meeting Mayor Ellen Polimeni at Simply Crepes, and later Canandaigua National Bank’s George Hamlin.

Earlier in the day the former western New York congresswoman enjoyed lunch at Nonna's Trattoria in Geneva with Finger Lakes Democratic county chairs John Hurley, Carolyn Schaeffer and Ted Young. Dinner was back in Geneva with Lieutenant Gov. Bob Duffy.

Hochul's visit to Canandaigua preceded Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s by less than 24 hours, as the governor was set to make an announcement at Constellation Brands/Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center in Hopewell Tuesday morning. When asked if she could share anything about the governor’s visit, Hochul deferred.

Hochul also declined to comment on allegations that Cuomo improperly interfered with the Moreland Commission — an entity he originally created to root out public corruption. She said reporters may ask about the situation, but most people do not.

“You know what’s interesting,” said Hochul. “I’ve been all over the state since that (story) broke and what people are talking about is the Buffalo Bills. People are still talking about jobs and the need for a meaningful wage, and about the farmers, how they’re enduring the heavy rains. I’m hearing more of that, I really truly am.”

Hochul was named May 21 as Cuomo’s running mate in the Nov. 4 election. She said she’ll be throwing her weight into economic development, women’s equality, equipping veterans for the workforce, more jobs and better education.

“I have a good handle on economic development issues for sure from my time in Congress, so we’ll be laser focused on that issue,” Hochul said. “I’m also going to continue working a great deal with our veterans. (Once they return home) we still have to do a better job of making sure they’ve got the training and the ability to get back into the workforce.”

She’ll also be promoting the women’s equality agenda (including reducing the number of sexual assaults), human trafficking and pay equity.

“The governor has told me I’m welcome to carve out a portfolio of areas I want to work in — areas where I have an expertise or want to continue the work I started in Congress,” said Hochul. “I will have the freedom to do that, which I really appreciate. It’s made it very attractive to me to say yes to the position.”

Hochul was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by voters from New York's 26th Congressional District. Due to New York's redistricting, she ran in the newly redrawn 27th District in 2012, and was defeated by Chris Collins.

Page 2 of 2 - “Every job I’ve had I’ve redefined and taken it to a different level,” said Hochul. “On the legislative side I have experience, but also my administrative side. So I’m looking forward to it.”